Crew SC battles the heat to split points with Sporting KC

Columbus Crew SC split points with Sporting Kansas City in a hot early evening match on national television. The Black & Gold are now unbeaten in seven games with five consecutive shutouts.

Crew SC saw the best opportunity on goal in the first half with a penalty kick from Gyasi Zardes. Sporting KC goalkeeper and defending MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Tim Melia fouled Zardes inside the box to bring about the penalty kick. Zardes took the spot kick for Columbus, but it was saved by Melia.
In first half stoppage time, midlfielder Federico Higuain was shown a straight red card after video review, leaving Columbus with a 10-man squad to close out the match.

The Black & Gold defense stepped up in the second half to help secure the draw. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen finished with three saves and set the Crew SC record for longest consecutive minutes without conceding a goal — silencing opponents for more than 8 hours.
With the draw, Columbus is tied with Atlanta and Sporting KC atop the Supporter’s Shield standings.

Next up, Crew SC returns to MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday June 2 to host Toronto FC. The final match of the 2018 Trillium Cup kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET.